Excommunication

The Church's authority

The authority for this and every Church penalty is not a human invention. Jesus founded a hierarchical Church on Peter and the apostles (Matthew 16:18-19; Ephesians 2:19-22) to safeguard the unity he prayed for (John 17:20-23), and his word is sure (see Isaiah 55:10-11). He gave them power to bind and loose (Matthew 16:19; 18:15-18), which includes censuring grave conduct. Paul directed that a man living in incest be delivered to Satan so that his spirit might be saved (1 Corinthians 5:5). Deprived of the sacraments that protect the faithful from the devil (see 2 Corinthians 10:3-4), he could see his danger and repent. Barring anyone in mortal sin from the Eucharist is itself a merciful protection (see 1 Corinthians 11:27-29).

What it means

Excommunicated means "put out of communion." It does not invalidate baptism or revoke membership; the excommunicated person is still obliged to attend Sunday Mass, though in a restricted way. But he may not receive any sacrament until he repents and the penalty is lifted. An excommunicated priest may not exercise his ministry, except to absolve someone in danger of death. The Church acts like the Good Shepherd who seeks the lost sheep (Luke 15:1-7); the only unforgivable sin is the one for which we do not want forgiveness (CCC 1864).

The Catechism explains that certain particularly grave sins incur excommunication, the most severe penalty, which impedes the sacraments and certain Church acts; absolution is reserved to the pope, the local bishop or priests they authorize, but in danger of death any priest can absolve (CCC 1463). Canon 1331 lists the prohibitions: celebrating or receiving the sacraments, administering sacramentals, taking an active part in liturgy, exercising Church offices, and acts of governance.

How it happens

Excommunication is either imposed after a canonical investigation (ferendae sententiae) or incurred automatically by the act itself (latae sententiae). It is reserved for especially heinous offenses or ones very damaging to the Church's mission, such as violating the seal of confession (canon 1386), desecrating the Eucharist (canon 1382), physically attacking the pope (canon 1370), and, as canon lawyer Pete Vere notes, successfully procuring an abortion (canon 1397 §2). Canon law also provides circumstances that excuse or reduce culpability (canons 1321-1324). What matters most is not whether one is excommunicated but whether one is in a state of grace.

Excommunications are usually not announced unless there is public scandal to remedy, as with Martin Luther, who refused to repent of his heresies. Whenever possible, offenses are handled quietly.

Coming back

An excommunicated person need not rejoin the Church as if he had left it; he needs to be restored to full communion. Excommunication is not permanent; its goal is repentance, confession and healing. The first step is to speak with a priest. God's mercy is greater than our sins.

Common questions

• May Catholics talk to an excommunicated person? Yes, and they should encourage reconciliation.
• Is it like Mormon excommunication? No. It does not abolish membership.
• What if someone dies excommunicated? Excommunication is not a judgment of damnation. One who is culpable of mortal sin must repent to avoid hell, but only God knows whether a sinner repented.